Local’s Guide to Party Venues in Grand Rapids

Whether you’re planning a birthday bash, a graduation celebration, holiday outings, corporate events, bachelor/bachelorette parties, or simply a fun gathering with friends, you’ll find a venue with just the right vibe in Grand Rapids.

From small and intimate spaces to large and boisterous ones, from places to relax to places to get active, from indoors to out, Grand Rapids offers venues for every purpose, taste and budget. Befitting our status as a Top 20 U.S. Foodie City and the Craft Beverage Capital of America, you’ll enjoy delicious food and drink wherever you go.  

Here are just a few suggestions for local party venues that will leave your guests talking for years to come.

Woodrows Duckpin

Located inside the Amway Grand Plaza, Woodrows Duckpin takes a new spin on traditional bowling called duckpin bowling. Unlike a conventional bowling alley, these miniature pins are attached to strings and use a much smaller ball.

Each lane accommodates six players and can be rented out for up to three hours. For private events, Woodrows can accommodate 40-125 party guests. Reserve the Upper Alley for 40 people, which includes four bowling lanes with unlimited duckpin games, cocktail service, and seating; the Lower Alley, including three bowling lanes, a bar rail and cocktail area for up to 85 people, or the Full House for access to all of the above. To book a party at Woodrows Duckpin, contact them via phone or through their online contact form.

K-ROK Korean BBQ and Karaoke

Channel your inner popstar inside K-ROK’s private karaoke rooms. Sing along to your favorite songs Tuesday-Saturday at 5 pm, 7:15 pm, or 9:30 pm, and also at 11:45 pm Friday and Saturday. Karaoke rooms can accommodate up to 12 guests with a two-hour reservation minimum. Meet the food minimum by ordering All You Can Eat Korean BBQ or choosing a Korean Hot Pot. Amp up your celebration by ordering bottle service to your karaoke room for an additional fee.

To view availability and book your private room, visit K-ROK’s reservation page. After singing your heart out and eating tasty Korean BBQ, this will be a night your guests won’t forget!

Brown Butter Crêperie and Café

Gather a group of eight and experience a private crepe-making class at Brown Butter Crêperie and Café. Choose two different kinds of batter and fill your freshly made creation with Nutella, blueberry compote, fresh fruit, toasted pecans, and more decadent options.

Brown Butter is also a perfect intimate venue for private evening events hosting up to 40 guests. During warmer weather, the café offers outside seating for additional space. Learn more about the customizable experience by visiting Brown Butter’s events page.

Brush Studio

Get creative with your guests and schedule a private painting class at Brush Studio. Choose from a selection of designs from the large database or suggest your own painting idea for the 16x20 canvases. Parties can have up to 52 painters and can be held any time that there is not a pre-scheduled public class at the studio.

The Studio allows you to bring in your own food or catering and will have a bar open for drinks to be purchased in-house. Not only will your attendees enjoy the fun atmosphere, but they will also have their painting as a souvenir from the party! Learn more about hosting a private painting class on Brush Studio’s special events page.

New Holland Brewing – The Knickerbocker

As Beer City, USA, Grand Rapids is home to more than 40 breweries, many of which can accommodate private events. New Holland Brewing – The Knickerbocker, located in the Bridge Street Entertainment District, is a prime brewery party venue. The brewery offers seven different spaces to fit groups of 20 up to 250 and provides catering options.

Inside The Knickerbocker is the Zeppelin Cocktail Lounge, which is a dimly lit bar with space for 50-75 attendees and a band or DJ. The all-season Beer Garden can be utilized no matter what the Michigan weather may bring. Seat up to 70 guests in a variety of benches, picnic tables, and four-person tables or create a cocktail space for up to 250 people.

A party at New Holland has the possibility to be laid back or more formal depending on the space you choose. Take a look at the unique spaces on New Holland’s private events page.

Plus, hosting an event at The Knickerbocker will get you one step closer to becoming a Beer City Brewsader!

Palio

The private back room at Palio, an Italian restaurant in downtown GR, is very welcoming and seats 25-30 guests comfortably for lunch or dinner every day of the week – for no added charge! Guests will enjoy authentic cuisine made with fresh ingredients, including herbs from the in-house garden.

Make your reservation up to three months prior to your event date by calling ahead or by filling out Palio’s private dining form.

LMCU Ballpark

The home of the West Michigan Whitecaps baseball team is a fantastic space for a party. Various patios, decks and suites throughout LCMU Ballpark accommodate anywhere from 15 to 300 people. Luxury suites offer the best food in the park, VIP treatment and top-notch amenities. Other options include Founders Rooftop, offering a spectacular view of the game and the Grand River; the Lumbermen’s BBQ Area, featuring an all-you-can-eat BBQ buffet for 25-200 people, and the General RV Campground, lined with picnic tables for an oh-so-relaxed social setting.

Visit the Whitecaps’ Hospitality Decks & Suites page for detailed information and contact details.

Craig’s Cruisers Family Fun Center

If you’re planning a kid’s party, Craig’s Cruisers may be the perfect venue for you. With more than 12,000 square feet of indoor food and fun, four outdoor attractions, 36 holes of mini-golf and 10 distinct event parties, it can keep your group busily and happily occupied for three to five hours. Choose from five different party packages for as few as 10 people.

Most packages include unlimited access to go-karts, bumper boats, bumper cars, a cruiser coaster, arcade, zipline, arcade, trampoline park and more, so there’s something for everyone. Visit Craig’s Cruisers’ event page for more.

Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park

Voted the nation’s #1 sculpture park and #2 botanical gardens, Frederik Meijer Gardens and Sculpture Park is a one-of-a-kind venue for gatherings from 5 to 1,200 people. Multiple event spaces provide diverse options for any kind of get-together, and guests will enjoy access to the 158-acre grounds filled with gorgeous theme gardens and monumental sculptures.

Visit the Meijer Gardens events page for details and contact info. This is very popular venue, so the earlier you get started, the better!

Millennium Park

Just five minutes from downtown Grand Rapids, Millennium Park is one of the nation’s largest urban greenspaces. It’s lined with 20 miles of paved trails, swimming and boating lakes, a sandy 10-acre beach, playgrounds and one of America’s Top 10 Splashpads.

Millennium Park has two large open picnic shelters for rent, each of which offers charcoal grills, water and electric, and can accommodate up to 140 people. An open-air pavilion offers all of that and can seat 350+ people at tables. Check out the details at the Millennium Park Rentals page.

Millennium is just one of 150+ local parks, many of which offer picnic areas, open shelters, restrooms and other amenities ideal for an outdoor gathering. Visit our Parks page to search for locations by region and amenity.

Additional Party Venue Options:

• The B.O.B.: A Big Old Building with multiple restaurants, music and comedy venues, and event spaces.
• Farmhaus Cider Co.: A rustically beautiful outdoor space with great cider and food.
• Knoop Rooftop Beer Garden: Offering a bird’s-eye view of downtown GR.
• Max’s South Seas Hideaway: An escape to a South Seas island in the heart of the city.

We’ve barely scratched the surface of amazing party venues available in Grand Rapids and Kent County. Visit our Venues & Hotels page to search for spaces by category (hotels restaurants, breweries, golf courses and more).

Need help planning a big event in the city? Be sure to check out our Groups page to learn more information on hosting a group in GR!